Graphic design

During this past spring the news have been flooded with images from the democratic revolts in Northern Africa and the Middle East. Our TV screens have shown more arabic typography than ever and for someone with a soft spot for all things arabesque and islamic (arabic) calligraphy, it’s been a joy to see the outpour of creativity from places such as Tahrir Square and Benghazi. Artist from different backgrounds and media have used their skills to spread democracy. One of them is Egyptian designer and calligrapher Mohamed Gaber. Beside doing politically charged calligraphy, Mohamed Gaber is working with illustrator and designer Ganzeer on a new, arabic typeface tailored for the digital world. The projects goes by the name Shasha and is supported by Google. When the typeface is completed it will be released open-source. Until then ...

Garant is one of Axfood’s (Willys and Hemköp) private brands. They have over the past year undergone a redesign and line extension. One of the new line of products is Garant Såklart, a series of eco friendly detergents, soaps and body lotions. Garant Såklarts packaging is designed by Bas Brand Identity who has created a lovely font heavy design that stands out and doesn’t look like a classic, boring eco brand.

Kongress Bar in Munich looks like the perfect 1950s dandy hangout, but the restaurant was opened just last year. The impeccable interior, as well as the wonderful identity, was designed by the German design agency Designliga. I’m really impressed with the details of Kongress Bar and it’s one of the best executed project I’ve seen in a long time. Next time I’m in Munich you’ll find me at the bar with beautiful bow tie around my neck.

Acne is probably most know for their jeans but to me they are Netbaby World and cool websites from when the Internet was young. Unfortunately, Netbaby World is nowadays nothing more than a burial site of times past but Acne is still going strong, creating cool and interesting products. Most recent Acne JR and their wonderful toys that easily could double as interior design pieces. Pics after the jump of course.

Swedish Another Shirt Please makes limited edition, timeless shirts. And timeless fashion needs a timeless identify and that’s exactly what Planet Creative has designed for the small fashion house. I’m a sucker for stamps and wax seals and from the look of things so are Planet Creative and Another Shirt Please. More photos of the identity can be found after the jump and if you to buy a shirt, sorry, they are currently all out of stock.

I’m not the biggest lover of ice cream but if I do eat it I go for italian gelato or sweet, sweet Ben & Jerry’s. And if I were to eat with my eyes today I would go for a Bar Gelato from California based Gelateria Naia. The gelato bars have lovingly been packaged by danish born, Portland based designer Mette Hornung Rankin in cooperation with Substance. More photos of the identify and gelato bars after the jump.

I don’t know that much about gin and based on what I’ve seen on TV and film I take it you just use the juniper berry flavored spirit for gin and tonics or perhaps martinis. But I can guess that outside the movies there is as much nerdiness in the gin world as there is in the whiskey or cognac world. Not knowing that much about gin doesn’t stop me from posting about Mombasa Club Gin. A gin distilled in London and bottled in a wonderful, classically ornamented bottle designed by Luis Vázquez from Typesense.

Next week established restauranteurs Tracy and Stephen Jackson opens their latest venture, T&Cake in Almondbury, Yorkshire. Behind the inviting colors, playful logotype and the cleaver us of the “bite” we find the design agency Build. A modern identity for a modern café. Make sure to check out all the images after the jump…

Jens Assur is one of Sweden’s best photojournalist and most famous for his work in war-torn countries such as Somalia and former Yugoslavia. But Jens has more skills than photography and he now days runs a design and concept studio in Stockholm. Together with talented illustrator Mikael Eriksson, Studio Jens Assur have designed a great, retro looking cover for the Swedish rock band Sahara Hotnights. I wish more album covers looked like this, and movie posters for that matter…